Refrigeration system



Jan; 16, 1934. v G. E. HULSE 1,943,317

REFRIGERATION SYSTEM Filed Oct. 9. 1950 INVENT OR ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES REFRIGERATION SYSTEM George E. Hulse, New. Haven, Comm, assignor to The Safety Car Heating & Lighting Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application October 9, 1930. Serial No. 487,435

25 Claims.

Th invention relates to refrigeration systems.

One of the objects thereof is to provide a refrigeration system of simple design and durable construction. Qther objects of this invention are to provide a refrigeration system of such a construction that the various working parts may be adjusted with ease, and which will be of easy inanufacture and ready assembly. Another object of this invention is to provide a refrigeration system which will be thoroughly dependable and economical in operation. Gther objects of this invention are to provide a refrigeration system in which the wear of operation is reduced to a minimum, and which may be easily adapted to meet the varied conditions of use. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

This invention accordingly consists in the combination of elements, features of construction, and

arrangement of parts as will be exemplified in the construction to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of this invention; it may be well at this point to observe that in refrigeration sys terns used in vehicles such as trucks or railroad cars, employing internal combustion engines for their motive means, it has been found desirable under certain conditions to stop the engine with out stopping refrigeration. As the-care of these systems on vehicles such as those described above is often of an unskilled character, such a change ofiers dificulties. This invention aims to provide a thoroughly practical device for overcoming the above and other disadvantages.

The accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic plan of one of the various possible embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, an s internal combustion engine iii is shown driving a compressor 11 of a refrigeration unit generally indicated at 12 by a drivin means generally indicated at 13. The compressor 11 is connected by A the tubes 14 to the other elements of a refrigeration unit of the compression type diagrammatically indicated at 15 from which the refrigeration coils 16 extend into the space or refrigeration chamber 17. An electric motor 18 is so positioned that it will drive the driving means 13 by means of a pinion or drum l9 and a belt or chain 19a.

The ignition for the internal combustion engine 10 is supplied by a magneto diagrammatically indicated at 6. This magneto is connected by a line 7 to a thermostatic switch 8 and the opposite side of this thermostatic switch is grounded. This thermostatic switch is of such a construction that it will close when the temperature in the chamber 17 is at or below the preferred temperature, thus grounding the magneto. fit) On this shaft 13 is disposed a clutch '20 of the centrifugal type and of such a construction that it will be actuated when the engine 10 is rotating, thus connecting this engine with a compressor 11. If the motor 18 is rotating, however, this clutch 20 will not be actuated and will thus disconnect the engine 10 from the compressor 11. On the same shaft 13 disposed in operative relation with the belt or chain 19a of the motor 18 is another clutch 21 of the oneway or overrunning type so constructed that when the motor 18 is rotating, it will be actuated, thus causing this motor to drive. the compressor 11 by means of the shaft generally indicated at 13. It will be understood, however, that the actuation of the engine 10 will not actuate this clutch, and, therefore, when this engine is in motion the motor 18 will be disconnected from the clutch 13. A speed reducing mechanism for the shaft 13 is shown at 5. W v

An electric starting motor 22 for the internal combustion engine 10 drives the crank shaft 23 of this engine by means of any driving means such as pinionsor drums and a belt, generally indicated at 24. It will thus be seen that by this construction as indicated above the refrigeration unit, and more particularly, the compressor 11 of this unit may be actuated by two separate driving means, the internal combustion engine 10 or the electric motor 18. Furthermore, it will be seen that this motor and this engine operate independently of each other, and the actuation of one has no effect on the other.

A solenoid 25 is disposed in such a position that it will actuate the switch 26 by means of 94} av shaft 27. This switch is of the double contact construction having two arms 28 and 29 insulated from each other at 30. Four contacts are disposed in ruch a way-that when the switch 1 26 is in one position the arms 28 and 29 will be in engagement with the contacts 31 and 32 respectively, and when this switch is in the other position (not indicated in the drawing) the arms 28 and 29 will be in engagement with the contacts 33 and 34 respectively. The solenoid. 25'is of such a construction that upon energization thereof, the switch 28 will be moved to its upper position as described above, and upon de-=energization of this solenoid the switch will autotrolled by the thermostatic switch 38 positioned in the space to be refrigerated 1'7. This thermostatic switch 38 is of such a-construction that when the temperature in this space 17 rises above that preferred, it will close, making contact at 39. One side of the storage battery 37 is connected directly to the starting motor 22 by the line 40 and-the opposite side of the storage battery is connected by a line 41 to the contact 31, and the arm 28 of the switch 26, which in one position is in engagement with the contact 31,

.is connected by a line 42 to one side of the thermostatic switch 38.

On the main driving shaft generally indicated at 13 is diagrammatically indicated a centrifugal switch 43. This switch is of such a construction that, when the shaft 13 and thus the engine 10 is at rest, the drum 44 will connect the two contacts 45 and 46, but when the motor 10 starts thus actuating the shaft 13, the drum 44 will move out of engagement with these contacts.

; The opposite side 36 of the thermostatic switch 38 is connected by a line 47 to the arm 29 of the switch 26 and the contact 32 of this switch is connected by a line 48 to the contact 45 of this centrifugal switch 43. The contact 46 of this centrifugal switch is connected by a line 52 to the starting motor 22.

One side of the electric motor 18 is connected by a line 49 to one terminal of the plug 36. This motor 18 is of the universal type so constructed that it may operate on either direct current or alternating current.- The opposite terminal of this motor is connected by a line 50 to the contact 34 of the switch 26. The other side of the plug 36 is connected by a line 51 to the .contact 33.

Connected to the lines 49 and 51 by the lines 55 and 54 respectively is a solenoid-switch generally indicated at 53. This solenoid 56 actuates a shaft 57 which is secured to an arm 58. This arm 58 is pivoted at one end 59 and this end is connected to a ground. The opposite end 60 or this arm 58 is in substantial registry with a contact 61 connected by a line 62 to the line '7 of the magneto 6 on the engine 10. This solenoidswitch 53 is of a common construction disposed when de-energized to break the contacts 60 and 61 by force of gravity. But upon energization of this solenoid, the arm 58 pivoted at 59 will swing up and the contact 61 will come into engagement with the contact 60. It will be seen that when the parts are in this position the magneto 6 will be grounded through the circuit consisting of lines '7, 62, contacts 61 and 60 and the arm 58.

Referring now to the action of this system, for

purposes of explanation, let it be assumed that it is installed on a railroad car. As this car is in motion a good deal of the time, in most instances, when refrigeration is required, the internal combustion engine 10 will be used to actuate the compressor of the system, for it would not be convenient to employ an outside source of current while the car is in motion. Under these conditions, let it be further assumed that the space inside the car diagrammatically indicated at 17 is above the preferred temperature.

In this case the thermostatic switch 38 will close. As the plug 36 is not connected to an outside source of current, the solenoid 25. will be deenergized. Thus the switch 26 will be in position indicated-in the drawing, and the centrifugal switch 43, assuming the engine 10 to be at rest, will be closed, thus connecting the contacts 45 and 46. A circuit will be established between the starting motor 22 and the battery 3'7 consisting of the lines 40; and 41, 31, arm 28, 28a, thermostatic switch 38, 39, 4'7, arm 29, 32, 48, 44, 45, 46 and 52. The starting motor 22 will thus be actuated and will start the engine 10 through the driving means 24. When the engine 10 has reached its normal speed 'of operation, the centrifugal switch 43 will pull-the drum 44 out of. engagement with the contacts 45 and 46, thus breaking circuit between the battery 37 and the starting motor 22. The engine 10 will continue to drive the compressor 11 and thus refrigerate the space 17 until the preferred temperature is reached. When this temperature is reached, the thermostatic switch 8 will make contact at 9, thus grounding the magneto and stopping the engine. It will thus be seen that a thoroughly practical means for automatically controlling a refrigerating system employing an internal combustion engine as motive means has been disclosed.

If this railroad car is laid over in the yards or station for a considerable period of time, it may be advantageous to employ electric motive means for the refrigeration system. If this is desired the plug 36 may be connected to an outside source of current and the solenoid 25 will be energized. Upon the energization of this solenoid, the switch 26 will be raised so that the arm 28 will be in engagement with the contact 33 and the arm 29 will be in engagement with the contact 34. With this switch in this position the battery 37 is permanently disconnected from the starting motor 22, thus the engine 10 cannot be started.

In case the refrigeration system is operating by means of the engine 10 when the member 36 is connected to an outside source of current, some means must be applied for immediately stopping it in order that the motor 18 may function. most efficiently. Thus a circuit will be created through the lines 54 and 55 to the solenoid 56, and the energization of this solenoid will actuate the arm 58 and bring the contacts 60 and 61 into engagement. This .will complete a ground circuit consisting of .the lines 7, 62, contacts 61 and 60 and arm 58. With the parts in this condition it will beseen that the magneto 6 will be grounded, thus causing the engine 10 to stop. Furthermore, it will be seen that the engine 10 will remain inoperative because of the grounding of the magneto 6 until the outside source of current is disconnected from themember 36, thus de-energizing the solenoid 56 and causing the disengagement of the contacts 60 and 61. Ample means have thus been provided for insuring the opercuit between the motor 18 and the outside source of current through the plug 36. This circuit consists of the lines 49, 50, 34, arm 29, 4'7, switch 38, 28a, arm 28, 33 and 51.

The electric motor 18 will continue to drive the compressor 11 until the temperature of the retion.

frigerated space 1'? falls to that preferred when the thermostatic switch 38 will open, thus breaking this circuit and stopping the motor. It will be seen that the electric motor 18 will continue to operate as the motive means for the refrigeration system until the outside source of current is disconnected from the plug 36. Furthermore, as described above when the electric motor 18 is driving the compressor 11 through the clutch 21, the clutch 20 will be out of engagement so that the engine 10 will not be rotated. When the plug 36 is disconnected from the outside source of current, the solenoid 25 will be de-energized and the switch 26 will fall into its normal position, thus automatically re-arranging the system so. that it will operate from the internal combustion engine 10. It will thus be seen that an efficient means has been provided for actuating the compressor 11 of a refrigeration system independently of the engine 10 from an outside source of electricity.

Certain advantages convenient for the efficient and orderly operation of a refrigeration system are adequately provided for in this invention. This is especially true if such a system is employed in vehicles such as railroad cars, trucks and the like, although many advantages may also result from its operation in a stationary posi- If the system is employed in a railroad car the internal combustion engine 10 may be operated over a considerable period of time. However, under certain conditions, it is desirable to have a second means for driving the compressor 11 of this unit. Thus if any unforeseen accident should occur to hinder the operation of the engine 10, the compressor might still be operated inan eficient and simple manner, while any repairs were being made. Furthermore, under certain conditions it might be found more economical tooperate the system. from an outside source of current. This offers a means for saving a considerable quantity of fuel for the engine, and alleviates the necessity for carrying a large supply of the fuel in case the vehicle should be away from a source of supply for an extended period of time. By using a plurality of driving means reliable and wrist nt refrigeration is assured under any conditions, and the hazard of damage to the articles to be refrigerated through unreliable functioning of the system is reduced to a minimum.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes may be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawmg is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, motive means for actuating an element of said unit, a second motive means for actuating said element, and means responsive to the'application of a source of energy for said second motive means for stopping one of said motive means.

2. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, motive means for actuating an element of said unit, a-second motive means for actuating said element, means for stopping one motive means upon the application of a source of energy for said second motive means, and thermostatic means for controlling the actuation of either of saidmotive means.

3. In a refrigeration system, in combination,

motive means for actuating an element of said unit, a second motive means for actuating said element, means for stopping one motive means upon the application of a source of energy for said second motive means, thermostatic means for controlling the actuation of either of said motive means, and means responsive to the application of a new source of energy for starting one of said motive means and stopping the other.

4. In a refrigeration system, in combination; means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine for actuating an element of said unit, an electrical motor for actuating said element independently of said ongine, and means responsive to the application of a circuit of current for stopping said engine and starting said motor.

5. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine for actuating an element of said unit, an electrical motor for actuating said element independently of said engine, means responsive to the application of a circuit of current for stopping said engine and starting said motor, and thermostatic means for controlling the actuation of said motor or said engine.

6. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a spme whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space,

rot

an internal combustion engine for actuating an element of said unit, an electrical motor for actuating said element, means for disconnecting said motor from said element when said engine is running, and means for disconnecting said engine from said element when said motor is running.

7. In a refrigeration system, in combination,

.means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine for actuating an element of said unit, an electrical motor for actuating said element independently of said engine, means for stopping said engine and starting said motor upon the application of a circuit of electricity, and thermostatic means for controlling the actuation of said motor and said engine.

8. Ina refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine for actuating a compressor in said unit, an electric motor for actuating said compressor independently of said engine, a clutch fordisconnecting said engine from said compressor when said motor is rotating, a clutch for disconnecting said motor from said compressor when said engine is actuating said compressor, thermostatic means in said space for controlling the actuation of said motor or said engine, and means responsive to the applicaj tion of an outside source of current for placing said thermostatic means in operative relation with said motor.

9. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, motive means for actuating moving parts of said unit, a second motive means for actuating said moving parts, a thermostatic device in :aid space for controlling the actuation of either of said motive means, and means for disposing said thermostatic device in operative relation with either of said motive means, said means being operatively related to the connection or disconnection of a source of power with one of said motive means.

10. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space,

' means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space. an internal combustion engine for driving an element of said refrigeration unit, a motive member for driving said element independently of said engine, said motive member being dependent upon an outside source of energy, means for starting said engine, thermostatic means responsive to the temperature in said space for controlling the actuation of said last-mentioned means, and means responsive to the connection of a source of energy with said motive member for stopping said engine.

12. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine for driving an element of said refrigeration unit, a motive member for driving said element independently of said engine, said motive member being dependent upon an outside source of energy, means for starting said engine, thermostatic means responsive to the temperature in said space for controlling the actuation of said last-mentioned means, means responsive to the connection of a source of energy with said motive member for stopping sa d engine, and means for relating said thermo static means to said motive member upon the actuation of said motive member to control the starting and stopping thereof.

13. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine for driving an element of said refrigeration unit, a motive member for driving said element independently of said eng ne, said motive member being dependent upon an outside source of energy, starting means for said engine, thermostatic means related to said space for controlling the actuation of said starting means, means related to said engine for stopping said starting means when said engine assumes its operative speed, means for applying an outside source of energy to said motive member, and means responsive to the application of said energy for placing said thermostatic means in controlling relation between said source of energy and said motive member. v

14. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeraion unit for said space, an internal combustion engine for driving an element of said unit, a magneto for said engine, an electric starting motor for said engine, a source of current for said starting motor, a thermostatic switch related to said space and in the circuit of said starting motor and said source of current, said switchv adap'ed to close when the temperature of said space falls below that preferred, a switch related to said engine and in said circuit and adapted to break said circuit when said engine has assumed its normal operative speed, and a second thermostatic switch related to said space and adapted to ground said magneto when the temperature of said space has reached that preferred.

15. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine for driving an element of said unit, an electric motor for driving said element independently of said engine, electric starting means for said engine, a thermostatic switch related to said space and in the circuit of said starting means, means for connecting said electric motor to a source of current, means responsive to, said connection for disconnecting said thermostatic switch from the circuit of said starting means and placing it in the circuit of said electric motor, and means responsive to said connection for s opping said engine.

16. In a refrigeration system, in combination,

means forming a space whose temperature is' to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine for driving an element of said unit, a magneto for said engine, an electric motor for driving said element independently of said engine, electric starting means for said engine, a thermostatic switch related to said space and in the circuit of said starting means, means for connecting said eleciric motor to a source of current,means responsive to said' connection for disconnecting said thermostatic switch from the circuit of said starting means and placing it in the circuit of said electric motor, and electro-magnetic means in the circuit of said electric motor for operating a switch to ground said magneto.

17. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose tempera'ure is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion'engine for driving an element of said unit, a magneto for said engine, an electric motor for driving said element independently of said engine, electric starting means for said engine, a thermosatic switch related to said space and in the circuit of said starting means, means for connecting said electric motor to a source of current, means responsive to said connection for disconnecting said thermostatic switch from' the circuit of said starting means and placing it in the circuit of said electric motor, electro-magnetic means in the circuit of said electric motor for operating a switch to ground said magneto, and means for disconnecting said engine from said element upon the actuation of said electric motor.

18. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, mo'ive means for actuating moving parts of said unit, a secondmotive means for actuating said moving parts independently of said first motive means, starting means for said first motive means, thermostatic means related to said space for coni rolling the actuation of said starting means, means for applying a source of energy to said second motive means, means responsive to the application of said energy for placing said thermostatic means in controlling relation to said source of energy and said second motive means, and means for disconnecting the inoperative motive means from said moving parts when one 0 said moiive means is operating.

19. In a refrigeration system, in combination, a refrigeration unit, an internal combustion engine, means forming a driving connection between said internal combustion engine and an element of said unit, an electric motor, means forming a driving connection between said electric motor and said element, a source of energy for said electric motor, and means responsive to the application of said source of energy to said electric motor for causing said second-mentioned means to disconnect said engine from said element.

26. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space, an internal combustion engine, means forming a driving connection between said internal combustion engine and an element of said unit, a separate driving member, means forming a driving connection between said driving member and said element, a source of energy for said driving member, and means responsive to the application of said source of energy to said driving member for causing said second-mentioned means to disconnect said engine from said element.

21. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeratiofiunitfor said space, an internal combustion engine, means forming a driving connection between said internal combustion engine and an element of said unit, a separate driving member, means forming a driving connection between said driving member and said element, a source of energy for said driving member, means responsive to the application of said source of energy to said driving member for causing said second-mentioned means to disconnect said engine from said element, and thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of said space for controlling the actuation of both said engine and said driving member.

22. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space,

having an element adapted to be driven, an internal combustion engine, a driving member, a clutch disposed between said engine and said element and adapted to form a driving connection between said engine and said element when said engine is operating, and a clutch disposed between said driving member and said element and adapted to form 'a driving connection between said driving member and said element when said driving member is operating.

23. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit for said space having an element adapted to be driven, an internal combustion engine, a driving member, a clutch disposed between said engine and said element and adapted to form a driving connection between said engine and said element when said engine is operating, a clutch disposed between said driving member and said element and adapted to form a driving connection between said driving member and said element when said driv ing member is operating, and thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of said space for controlling the operation of both said engine and said driving member.

24. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unit'for said space having an element adapted to be driven, an internal combustion enginea driving member, a clutch disposed between said engine and said element and adapted to form a driving connection between said engine andsaidelement when said engine is operating, a clutch disposed between said driving member and said element and adapted to form a driving connection between said driving member and said element when said driving member is operating, a source or energy for said driving member, and means responsive to the application of said source of energy to said driving member for causing said engine to be inoperative.

25. In a refrigeration system, in combination, means forming a space whose temperature is to be regulated, a refrigeration unitfor said space having an element adapted to be driven, an internal combustion engine, a driving member, a clutch disposed between said engineand said element and adapted to form a driving connection between said engine and said element when said engine is operating, a clutch disposed between said driving member and said element and adapted to form a driving connection between said driving member and said element when said driving member is operating, a. source of energy for a ulating the'operation of said engine and for regulating the operation of said driving.member when said source of energy is connected to said driving member. 7

' GEORGE E. HUIBE. 

